For the millions of people who contemplate getting cosmetic surgery, it is perfectly normal to flip flop over whether to go for it or not. Whether it’s a bump in your nose from an old accident that never healed right, or a plump up to lips that you always thought were too small, it’s important to do your research. Dr. John Zannis a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon from New Bern, North Carolina, who blends his study of classical art and symmetry to his surgery practices, shares a quick list of 5 cosmetic procedures that can make you look worse if done wrong.

1. Nose Job

Most people don’t like the nose they were born with. They feel it’s either too wide, long, hooked or not in proportion to the rest of the face. According to Dr. Zannis one’s ethnicity, family resemblance and facial integrity is often found in the shape of the nose. “We have all seen plenty of celebrities who have dramatically changed their look with rhinoplasty. It’s a very intricate surgery that can lead to a significant change to one’s appearance if things like facial symmetry and bone structure aren’t factored in.” For those wanting a “perfect nose” Zannis offer this clarification. “There really is no such thing as a universally flattering nose. It truly depends the individual’s facial features. The best nose jobs are the ones where people can’t tell anything was done. It’s the same nose just smoothed out and reshaped without radically altering overall appearance.”

2. Dermal Fillers

There seems to be an epidemic of very round puffy faces due to excessive use of fillers. Dermal fillers are used to smooth out facial lines and restore volume to aging faces for a more youthful look. There are several different kinds to choose from each offering a different benefit. For example the popular Juvederm, an FDA approved hyaluronic acid filler, boats fast results that last for up to a year. Fat transfers offer an even more long-lasting result. “Where people run into trouble is when they get that puffed up chipmunk look. “There is such a thing as too much filler,” cautions Dr. Zannis. “The key is to go for a natural look that flatters cheekbones and jawline so you look like you’ve gotten a great facial or came back from a well needed vacation. You don’t want the facial shape itself to change.”

3. Butt Augmentation

A full rounded derriere is a very desired look these days. From Serena Williams on the tennis court to Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Scarlet Johansson on the red carpet, plus the countless fitness and swimwear models on Instagram, bodacious booty is everywhere. Ladies who try to amp up their rump with squats and lunges to no avail may start to consider augmenting their bottom. According to Dr. Zannis, height, weight, legs, and waist alignment all play a role when deciding if your body can achieve a certain look that appears natural. “Proportion is everything when it comes to breast and butt augmentation. People tend to think bigger is better and this is not always the case,” he says.

4. Brow Lift

A brow lift gone wrong can lead to a permanently surprised look or brows that seem stuck or too tight, unable to relax. While a brow lift can instantly take 10 years off of someone’s face, especially when their aging eyes appear hooded and droopy; the procedure can also result in a scary expression where the eyes appear to be opened to wide. “The key to a brow lift is to look at photos of where the person’s eyebrows were 10-15 years before as a realistic guide. Then an assessment of the muscle and scalp area, which will anchor the lift, is also necessary to achieve a natural well-rested look that factors in the eye shape when several expressions are made,” explains Dr. Zannis.

5. Lip Augmentation

It seems like lip injections have gotten out of control. People look at pillow lipped celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Angelina Jolie, Priyanka Chopra, Kerry Washington and Adriana Lima and want to plump their pouts more and more. “You want to maintain a good lip shape that looks youthful and not fake,” suggests Dr. Zannis. “Again, facial symmetry is key when augmenting lips. I look at the chin, the distance between the upper lip and nose and other facial features. You really need to seek out a doctor who appreciates a subtle, undetected look. It’s one of those procedures where one can get used to their new look and want to go bigger and bigger,” says Dr. Zannis.

In the end Dr. Zannis reminds people to really do their research and understand what is involved and what can go wrong. He advises against discounted procedures and encouraged people to be absolutely certain the doctor is board certified. “This is your body and overall well-being. You want someone who truly knows what they are doing.”

Dr. John Zannis is a New Bern, North Carolina board-certified plastic surgeon and best selling author. A graduate of Stanford University and The University of Cincinnati Medical College, he received his formal training in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina under the guidance of world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Argenta. During this time, he performed over 5,000 surgical procedures and covered all aspects of plastic surgery including cosmetic surgery of the face and body, complex reconstructive procedures of face and body, cleft lip and palate surgery, hand surgery, facial and jaw fracture repair, and reconstruction following massive weight loss. He blends his interests and studies of classical art and symmetry to his surgery practices. Connect with him via twitter@JohnZannisMDor his website www.zannisplasticsurgery.com

If you’ve ever tried to lose
weight, you’ve probably heard a lot about water and weight loss. Can drinking
more water really help you lose weight? The short answer is yes -- and no. If
you’re already well hydrated and getting plenty of water, getting more water
into your diet probably won’t make a lot of difference. But if you’re going
through your days a little -- or a lot dehydrated, as many people are, getting
enough water could help. Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is a Manhattan
Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging
medicine. He states that, “There is always the case of too much of a
good thing. Some people are such water drinking devotees that they are
aquaholics, resulting in overhydration.” As a result, experts now fear
we've become so focused on staying hydrated that we're guzzling water to
life-threatening extremes.

Dr. Calapai points out that,
“There are two types of overhydration: Increased water intake and retaining
water. Increased water intake—or drinking more water than the kidneys can get
rid of in the urine—can cause too much water to collect in the body.”

When the body is unable to
get rid of excess water, it is said to be retaining water. This happens with
several medical conditions, for instance. It can be dangerous because it throws
off the balance between water and sodium in the blood.

Overhydration caused by
drinking too much water can occur both consciously and unconsciously. Dr.
Calapai says that, “A person may drink too much water during exercise. Some
medications can also cause dry mouth and cause an increase in thirst. Increased
thirst can also be caused by uncontrolled diabetes. Psychiatric conditions such
as schizophrenia (primary polydipsia or psychogenic polydipsia) can also cause
compulsive water drinking.”

What Are the Symptoms of
Overhydration?

Symptoms of overhydration may
not be recognized in the early stages but can include:

· Nausea and vomiting

· Headache

· Changes in mental state (confusion or disorientation)

If left untreated,
overhydration can lead to dangerously low levels of sodium in the blood
(hyponatremia). This can cause more-severe symptoms, such as:

· Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps

· Seizures

· Unconsciousness

· Coma

How Can Overhydration Be
Prevented?

Endurance athletes can reduce
the risk of overhydration by weighing themselves before and after a race to
determine how much water they have lost and need to replenish.

Dr. Calapai emphasizes that,
”Individuals should avoid drinking more than one liter per hour of fluid.
Drinking more fluids before and during a race or an intensive athletic exertion
can also help you avoid the need to drink too much water afterwards. Sports
beverages that contain the electrolytes sodium and potassium are also
recommended, as both are lost in sweat.”

So how do you know how
much water you need?

For starters, don’t rely
solely on thirst, says Calapai. “As soon as you put water on your tongue, you
kill your thirst mechanism.” Instead, he suggests the following:

2. Notice how much you
pee—and its color—in the morning. It should be a copious amount and pale or
clear.

3. Aim to wake feeling
hydrated. If you’re thirsty when you get out of bed in the morning, you may not
be consuming enough fluids.

4. When choosing sports
drinks, search for labels with low sugar. Dr. Calapai recommends about 5 grams
per 8-ounce serving. “Even natural drinks like coconut water have too much
sugar and potassium to hydrate.”

5. Coffee, tea, and watery
fruits and vegetables count toward fluid intake. “Also, caffeine is not a
diuretic,” Dr. Calapai says. “It’s about volume, so if you drink five cups,
you’ll pee more.”

6. Start slowly. “Sleep is a
six- to eight-hour fast, so if you drink three cups of juice or water right
away, you’ll trigger the volume response. Sip instead.”

If you have an underlying
medical condition, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, or kidney
problems, talk to your doctor about the best treatments for those conditions.
If you experience excessive thirst or an overly strong urge to drink water,
contact your doctor before you develop symptoms—it could indicate a medical
problem that requires treatments.

Do you know that
your lips really do speak… literally your lip prints can unveil lots of
fascinating facts about YOU; Who you
are, What you want, and What you need ! And here I thought it was all genetic.
According to Lip reading experts, Lips can reveal a lot about the personality
of the people.

What exactly is
Lipsology?

Lipsology is the art of
lip print reading, is a fun, yet skill based tool (similar in some ways to
handwriting analysis) that can be used to learn about personality traits,
energy levels, state of mind, and even some information about current or older
health issues. There are 25 categories of lip prints and over 100
sub-categories so there's a lot of data for a Lipsologist to read and learn
about you. This information is gathered based on the size, shape, color
intensity, and special markings of your lip prints.Apparently there is
only 7 certified lip experts in the world.

How is Lipsology Done?

Lipstick and kiss cards, yes men wear it too .

Here is a photo I found online so you can
figure out which shape you are. Most can
pin out which lip shape they are but for the ones with “combination” lips,
choose the one that suits you best!

They
are many shapes of the lips and each shape had a different way of taking. "The
most important thing your lips speak to is [what you're like] in
relationships and how giving you are," says Jean Haner, an expert in face reading and
author of The Wisdom of Your Face."You were born with the features you have
for a reason — every feature is linked to a part of your personality and
they all work together to represent who you are." Here, Haner lays
out what your lip shape says about you based on her studies in face
reading derived from Chinese medicine. If you’re curious what your lips say
about you, take a look at the list below.

1.
Thin Lips (Is
your mouth small, and your lips thin and defined)Then
you’re measured and selective, and you go for quality over quantity. Some
senses are much more important to you than others, and you tend to neglect the
rest. You like things to be done properly. Your tastes push you to extremes;
when you’re into something you need to know everything there is to know about
it!

For
those who have thin lips and a small mouth, deep connections are not always a
top priority. They can be content as loners and are not as comfortable in
relationships. Lasting love is possible – but it could take some extra effort
and patience to get there.

2. Thick Lips: You
often fall in love and less likely to act rationally. You’re straight forward
and won’t hide your desire.

3. Full Lips (Naturally Full Top and Bottom Lips) : This lip shape correlates
with a strong desire to be a mother and shows how much you care about
others. It represents someone who is giving, will put others first,
and finds great joy in doing that. This person is also someone
who wants to have a good circle of friends and a good connection with
others. They really value relationships. You
are open and fulfilled. You use your experiences, try new things and share them
with others. You are an empathetic individual who values your relationships.
Giving and receiving is important to you. You radiate confidence and this makes
you devastatingly attractive to men. You love the pleasures in life and seek
maximum thrills in bed.

4. Wide Lips : Women
with wide-stretched lips like are lively and have a large circle of friends
with many different interests. As a perfectionist, you are very successful and
talented, and you like to determine your own fate.

5. Round Lips : People
with button-shaped lips are interested in exploration and a little bit
rebellious and flirtatious. People are naturally drawn to you because of your
“vivacious charm mixed with your risque fashion sense. You glow with bright
charisma.

6. Heart-Shaped Lips/Bow-shaped Lips : Bow-shaped
lips have a peaked cupid’s bow. People with cute heart-shaped lips are
independent, seductive , expressive and great communicators. Heart shapes are
expressive in voicing opinions. Is quick-minded, and very creative. Because
they're so quick-minded, they can also be highly reactive and often
not think before speaking, whether what they're saying is kind
or mean-spirited.

7. Thick upper lip, thin lower lip: That means you’re
someone who loves to create drama in relationships. You’re a giving person and
you’re concerned about the other person’s needs in the relationship as well as
your own.

An Injected Fuller Upper
Lip: In Chinese face reading, if you change your face, you throw off
your system, thereby changing your destiny. So, if you mess with your
natural features, you mess with the path you're meant to have. And since
every feature represents a part of your personality and they all work together
to represent who you are, altering a physical feature is like altering
your being.

According to Haner, if you
mess with your lips, you can become needier, more selfish, and more out of
control emotionally. And the more you plump them up, the more you welcome
drama. Watch out if your upper lip is filled larger than your lower
lip — that means you're someone who loves to create drama in
relationships.

8. Thin upper lip, thick lower lip: You’re
someone who wants to be pampered. You can also be a pleasure seeker. You look
like a cool person, but actually, you have a strong desire for love. Once you
fall in love, it’s likely hard for you to get back up again. The upside to this
altered lip shape is that you’re also someone who really wants to enjoy life.

An
Injected Fuller Lower Lip: This means you're someone
who wants to be pampered. You can also be a pleasure seeker. The
upside to this altered lip shape is that you're also someone who really
wants to enjoy life.

9. Goldilocks Lips:Like
the fairy tale, these symmetric lips are “just right.” Your lips aren’t thick
or thin, but medium-size, and your cupid’s bow doesn’t have super-defined
peaks, nor does it lack definition. If you have lips like this, it means you’re
pretty even-keeled in relationships. You’ll do just fine and won’t go overboard
when it comes to drama or giving too much. You’re not needy or clingy, but you
do crave a sense of connection in relationships.

I
fall under full/thick and it’s pretty dead on! But I’m pretty open minded, but
what do you guys think? Would love to get your feedback.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is such a regular occurrence for many women that they consider it a normal part of getting their period. The Mayo Clinic estimates about 75 percent of women get at least some form of PMS. Although the causes of PMS aren't well understood, “fluctuating levels of hormones and brain chemicals are thought to play a role. What a woman eats and drinks can also have an effect“ says Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. a Manhattan Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. He shares with us 10 do’s and don’ts for getting through PMS as pain free as possible.

1)Do get more calcium

Some studies have shown that calcium levels are lower in women with PMS, and that those with the highest intake of calcium reported the mildest PMS symptoms. Dr. Calapai suggests sourcing your calcium from foods such as low-fat milk and dairy, calcium-fortified breakfast cereals and orange juice, and leafy greens.

2)Don't consume excessive salt

Salt increases water retention, so if you suffer from premenstrual bloating, do limit the amount of sodium you consume in the run up to your period. Eliminate the salt shaker, and cut back on the canned foods, processed foods and condiments, all of which are overflowing with sodium.

3) Do drink more water

“Although this sounds counter-intuitive,” says Dr. Calapai, “Water can actually alleviate PMS-related fluid retention. Drink plenty of H2O -- aim for 8 to 10 glasses a day; more when you exercise -- to flush toxins out of your system and reduce premenstrual bloating.”

4) Do Eat Dark Chocolate

Craving the sugary confections like chocolate and cupcakes is totally normal. Try and reach for dark chocolate when you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. A bonus is, it will boost your mood.

5) Don’t Consume Coffee

While you may need that daily cup (or two) to be functional, studies show that caffeine increases levels of anxiety. Dr. Calapai explains that, “Your blood vessels contract when caffeine is present in your body, which worsens menstrual cramps. Also, for those with loose stool while on their periods, adding caffeine to your diet will make it difficult for your body to retain water and worsen diarrhea.”

6) Do Eat Greens

Losing a lot of blood can cause iron deficiency, which can cause lightheadedness or nausea. To counteract this problem, Dr. Calapai recommends stocking up on darker greens, like spinach, kale and broccoli to get your iron levels back up, but avoid eating them raw. For spinach, sautée with minced garlic and olive oil for a warm, flavorful bundle of nutrients!

7) Don’t Drink Alcohol

It will only worsen feelings of depression and moodiness. One study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology also found that regular alcohol consumption increased length of and severity of cramps in women who experience cramps during PMS.

8) Do Eat Bananas

Sleep disturbances right before your period are the norm for many women. Plus, experts at John Hopkins University in Baltimore found that too little sleep made women more susceptible to pain (meaning those cramps will feel even worse). So make sure to get your z's by eating bananas, which contain melatonin—a sleep-aid hormone that's secreted at night and helps regulate our body's natural rhythms.

Crepiness is a term used to describe the changes in skin noted with aging. Skin becomes thinner, more fragile, and wrinkles more easily. We can see this first occurring on the backs of hands, décolleté, and around the eyes. What causes crepey skin? Is it due to sun damage? Aging?

Dr. Kally Papantoniou, a NYC board certified dermatologist explains that, “Crepey skin occurs with age and the process is accelerated by photo-aging (frequent sun exposure without protection) which leads to the break down of collagen and elastin fibers, causing skin to lose its elasticity and become thinner.” For those of us who already dabble in Botox, filler, and facials, what can be done about this additional “evil?”

Prevention for crepey skin.

Dr. Papantoniou says that, “The most important way to prevent creepiness is to protect skin from sun exposure, the UVA and UVB rays are the leading cause for crepey skin, thus daily photo-protection is key in preventing creepiness.”

For eyes- Revision makes a cream – DEJ repair, for the delicate area around the eyes to address crepiness.

For neck- Revision Nectifirm

For chest- SkinCeuticals Neck, Chest & Hand Repair

For arms- SkinCeuticals Body Tightening Concentrate

For legs- Excipial 10% lotion, or Amlactin

What is the ideal way to apply products?

For best results it is recommended that you make sure to cleanse the affected area prior to applying creams to treat skin. Applying the creams twice daily will provide the best results.

What can you expect from a crepey skin cream? Temporary or long-term?

Depending on the types of creams being used, in the short-term you can expect, reduction of the appearance of crepey skin. The long-term benefits from keeping skin hydrated and applying certain ingredients to heal and repair skin, may induce new growth.

What ingredients make these products work?

Dr. Papantoniou explains that, “Creams often will contain proteins called peptides such as Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 which act on the cellular level to help prevent the degradation of collagen, and can help promote synthesis. Hyaluronic acid will help plump and hydrate skin, which improves the immediate appearance of crepey skin. The addition of antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E have the effect of reducing oxidative stress and damage to skin and can stimulate new collagen growth. Certain plant extracts can also be found as ingredients in tightening creams for their natural properties. Using a retinol containing product can also have great effect on rebuilding collagen and rejuvenating skin.”

Dr. Papantoniou warns to steer clear of creams that don't contain any active ingredients, and are essentially just moisturizers. These are just gimmicks and won’t help with crepey skin.

Is there any evidence that higher-priced products are better?

Dr. Papantoniou says that, “I would not base the effectiveness on the price tag of a product. Research instead what ingredients it contains and read reviews, this can help guide your selection.”

Are all over the counter products limited in what they can achieve?

Over the counter products can actually be very helpful in this instance, the only prescription medication that will perform better is retinoic acid, but retinol can still be very effective is used regularly.

What are Dr. Papantoniou’s in-office treatments for crepey skin?

Her favorite treatments for crepey skin are the Thermismooth 250, which feels like a hot stone massage, it can be used under the eyes, neck area, and almost anywhere on the body. Thermismooth 250 works by stimulating skin to produce collagen and rejuvenate. It tightens and can even help the appearance of cellulite. The Ulthera is also a powerful energy based machine, using ultrasound energy to stimulate tightening and new collagen as well. “Ulthera is great for the face, neck and chest area especially. For even more of a lift there is the ThermiTight, which is a minimally invasive procedure in which radiofrequency energy is placed under the surface of the skin, and stimulates skin remodeling with results that are very impressive,” says Dr. Papantoniou.

About Dr. Kally Papantoniou

Dr. Kally Papantoniou is a Cosmetic Dermatologist, Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology. She specializes in Injectables, Lasers, Body Contouring, Surgical and Medical Dermatology. Dr. Papantoniou is also a clinical professor at Mount Sinai Health Center in New York City. She applies expert techniques and the newest technologies to treat her patients. Dr. Papantoniou focuses on providing her patients with the highest level of care, with special interests in natural and healthy alternatives to treatments and disease prevention. Connect with Dr. Papantoniou via twitter @DrPapantoniou or her website www.DrPapantoniou.com

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